Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James started the 2022-23 season with 37,062 points, just 1,325 shy of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record.
Averaging 29.7 points this season, James is closing in on Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 points, and he has made a furious push in the past five weeks – despite missing three games since Dec. 18 – with 14 games of at least 30 points, including three 40-plus point games, topped off by 48 points against Houston on Jan. 16.
At his scoring rate, James should pass Abdul-Jabbar and become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in early February.
Let’s take a look at James’ progress:
at Portland, 38,164 career points
Jan. 22: James dropped 37 points on the Blazers as the Lakers overcame a 25-point halftime deficit for a 25-point halftime deficit for a 121-112 victory. Since James turned 38 years old on Dec. 30, he is averaging 35.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 7.9 assists and is shooting 53% from the field.
vs. Memphis, 38,127 career points
Jan. 20: James scored 23 points in the Lakers’ eventful and dramatic 122-121 victory over the Grizzlies, who entered riding an 11-game winning streak.
vs. Sacramento, 38,104 career points
Jan. 18: James had 32 points but it was in a 116-111 loss to the Kings. James played 36 minutes, and after the game, Lakers coach Darvin Ham said he needed to find a way to reduce James’ minutes and get him some rest.
vs. Houston, 38,072 career points
Jan. 16: James scored a season-high 48 points in the Lakers’ 140-132 victory. In another efficient performance, James was 16-for-26 from the field, 5-for-10 on 3-pointers and 11-for-12 from the free throw line.
vs. Philadelphia 38,024 career points
Jan. 15: James passed the 38,000-point mark with 35 points in a 113-112 loss to the Sixers. He made 15-of-23 shots and 14-of-18 free throws, but it wasn’t enough to stop Philadelphia.
vs. Dallas, 37,989 career points
Jan. 12: In a showdown against the Mavs and Luka Doncic, James scored just 24 points and was not efficient, shooting 9-for-28 from the field and 0-for-7 on 3s in Dallas’ 119-115 double-overtime victory.
at Sacramento, 37,965 career points
Jan. 7: Back in the city where James played his first game – in Sacramento playing for Cleveland – James had 37 points in the Lakers’ 136-134 victory.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James points tracker: How close is he to passing Abdul-Jabbar?
